Original leaf from a manuscript Spanish Antiphonal on animal parchment. (560 x 365mm – 22 x 14 3/8’’) The manuscript text and music (six lines of music on a red five-line stave) were beautifully executed by hand dark brown ink over 400 years ago!!!
Spain, c. 1525 –this leaf is from the Winter Volume (pars hiemalis) which comprised the Offices of Advent, Christmastide and Epiphany.
One illuminated initial in red with interior and exterior violet penwork – extending into the margin; two exceptional knot work (cadel) initials in dark brown ink heightened with yellow.
This leaf continues prayers for Post Epiphany. The illuminated “I” begins part of Psalm 137 (King James 138) 1: “In conspectu…” (I will sing praise to thee in the sight of the angels).
The knot-work “D” opens Psalm 138 (KJ 139): “Domine…” (Lord, thou hast proved me, and known me).
The knot-work “A” begins part of Psalm 139:2: “A viro iniquo…” (Rescue me from the unjust man). The knot-work “D” opens Psalm 140 (KJ 141) “Domine…” (I have cried to thee Lord, hear me).
As is usual with Medieval and Renaissance parchment, the hair side of the leaf is darker than the flesh side, but may take ink somewhat better. The differences in tone caused scribes to arrange their quires so that the hair side of one sheet faced the hair side of the next, and the flesh side faced the flesh side.
Antiphonals contain chants for the canonical hours of the Divine Office: first vespers or the vigil of great feasts, matins, lauds, prime, terce, sext, none, vespers and compline.
Shipped unmatted
